LOGINRoselyn’s footsteps felt heavy as she walked down the corridor toward her chambers. A maid immediately greeted her.
As soon as she stepped inside, Roselyn began taking off the tiara and jewelry she had worn all day.
"We have prepared the bath for you, Your Grace," the maid said with a polite bow.
"Thank you. And please have dinner sent to my room. I am incredibly exhausted."
The maid nodded, adding that she would fetch the shampoo before leaving.
The silence felt like a blade held directly against Cedric’s neck. He stared at Kaelus for a long time, searching for a single flicker of doubt on that flat face.However, all he found was the chilling aura of someone who had long since carried the truth. Or more accurately, someone who refused to let that truth fuel a self-destructive hatred."Who told you?" Cedric’s voice finally trembled, coming out softer than he intended."That doesn't matter.""I thought the late Emperor had wiped out all of your father's loyalists. Even the records detailing the traits of the true imperial bloodline were burned.""A crime always leaves a trace, Cedric."The gold-eyed man fell si
Cedric stood by the grand window of the main hall, staring out at the blanket of snow beginning to whiten the palace courtyard."The Duke should be far away by now, right?" he asked his secretary."Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to your generous assistance, the Duke should be crossing the sea by now. It might be wise to stop detaining Grand Duke Valthorne, Your Majesty. He has been causing a massive stir since yesterday.""Tell our guest to come see me."The secretary bowed low, then turned and strode out of the hall. He walked briskly to meet Kaelus.The moment the heavy doors swung open, a terrifying glare from crimson eyes welcomed him.The middle-aged man, who was usually so
Within Derrick’s completely broken mind, there was no sight more breathtaking than looking at Roselyn lying submissively upon the bed.His delusional psyche truly believed that forcing a paralyzing drug down his beloved's throat wasn't an act of coercion, but rather a manifestation of pure love.As long as they were together, the man had absolutely no issue with carrying Roselyn wherever they needed to go."Are you awake, Rose?"The soft whisper brushed against Roselyn’s temple, followed by the warm touch of his fingers gently combing through her loose hair with the utmost care.Roselyn opened her eyes slowly. Before her, Derrick was already kneeling at the edge of the bed. He reached for a cup containing tea laced with the sedative, blowing on it gently before offering it to the Vogard princess."The snow is getting heavier outside," Derrick said, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Drink a little of this, alright? Your headac
The thundering hooves of the Valthorne and Odiley forces ground to an abrupt halt at a major crossroads, exactly half a day's ride after leaving the Capital gates.Standing directly in their path, a small detachment bearing the golden eagle crest blocked the road like a wall of shields."Grand Duke Valthorne." The leader of the detachment—an Imperial Marshal draped in a deep crimson cloak—offered a formal nod, not making the slightest move to dismount.His gaze carried a condescending look, typical of a watchdog acting grand simply because he carried the ruler's decree. "His Imperial Majesty commands you to return to the palace immediately.""I don't have time for this.""Forgive me, Grand Duke, but this isn
The first snow of the season began to blanket Lancaster just as Derrick’s carriage was getting ready to push toward Raipherze.Roselyn watched the scene unfold through a tiny parting in the curtains. Delicate white flakes drifted lazily from the sky, dusting the cobblestone road they were traveling on."The snow always hits this place earlier than the Capital," Derrick murmured, gently adjusting the hood of Roselyn’s cloak to keep the chill away. "My mother used to say the first snow is a good omen. A clean slate."Roselyn didn't say a word. The lingering numbness from the afternoon's drug still had her tongue tied. She could only stare blankly at every passing landmark she caught a glimpse of, desperately tracing a mental map for an escape route in her mind."How... much longer until we arrive at Raipherze?" Her voice came out clearer than she expected, catching her off guard.Derrick snapped his head around, pulling her a little closer into his embrace. "You're finally talking to m
Roselyn opened her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she was still trapped in a dream. The ceiling above was a pale cream, and a flickering candlelight danced softly at the edge of her vision.However, when she tried to curl her pinky finger, her body entirely refused to obey the command.‘What's happening to me?’ she muttered in her mind, unable to make a sound.The daughter of House Vogard could still feel the chill of the room. Though her movements were severely restricted, her eyes could still dart around.A small, greenish vial lay on the nightstand, half its contents spilled onto a cloth that was still damp beside the bed."Are you awake, Rose?"The voice echoed from a corner of the room, followed by the steady sound of approaching footsteps.Derrick sat down at the edge of the bed, staring at her with a look of relief tangled with deep anxiety."Don't be afraid. The effects are just temporary. You can hear me, right?" He gently stroked Roselyn's brown hair. “I make y
An hour earlier.Dinner had been an absolute disaster for Vivianne. Instead of enjoying the meal, she had to sit for hours, enduring Vogard Sirius's endless babbling.All because Kaelus had suddenly skipped the banquet, claiming to have a mountain of work to finish. As a result, Vivianne was forced
Roselyn immediately rose from the bed. She hid her father's letter beneath her pillow, then walked toward the door.The moment she opened it, Kaelus’s towering figure greeted her. He was still wearing his cloak, but the lines of his face looked far more tense than before he had left. He stood there
Roselyn felt her entire body instantly go rigid, as if the icy Northern air had just frozen her blood in a single heartbeat.Aira Belladonna. The woman Derrick had once dismissed as a ‘toy for when he was bored,’ yet the very figure who remained a thorn in the memories of Roselyn’s past life."What
Roselyn’s face instantly flushed crimson. She hurriedly loosened her embrace and looked up.She met a pair of crimson eyes staring back, trying desperately to appear nonchalant. However, his body betrayed him; the tips of his ears had turned bright red in an instant.Kaelus slowly leaned down. The







